Hot Water. Washing linens and bedding in water that is 140 degrees or hotter will be effective to destroy most flea eggs. Steam cleaning carpets after vacuuming can also help to kill remaining flea eggs.
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most common natural home remedies to treat fleas (and a host of other maladies, too!). To treat those pesky fleas, mix one part organic apple cider vinegar (with “mother”) and two parts water. Use a spray bottle or sponge to apply the vinegar mixture to your cat's fur.
Selamectin kills adult fleas and larva and prevents flea eggs from hatching by attacking the flea's nervous system. It is also used to treat ear mites and roundworms and as a heartworm preventative.
Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water
For mild infestations, wash your bed sheets in hot soapy water. The soap will kill fleas, while also destroying their eggs and larvae.
Using a DIY flea spray of apple cider vinegar on a rug or dog bed will not kill fleas of any life stage. That's because the acid in vinegar is not strong enough to penetrate the shell of flea eggs or larvae.
Salt dries out fleas just like diatomaceous earth, but it's less messy, and unlike diatomaceous earth, it doesn't pose a respiratory threat when used indoors. Borax powder is also effective against fleas and their larvae.
Apple cider vinegar can't kill fleas, but it can help to repel them. Fleas don't like the smell or taste of it, so they're likely to avoid your pet if they have it on their fur. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add it to a spray bottle.
White Vinegar Sprays
Start with areas you suspect to be infested with fleas such as your pet's sleeping areas, bedding, upholstery, carpets and rugs. Though this mixture will not kill the fleas directly, it repels them, enough for your home to be rid of these pesky pests.
While Apple Cider Vinegar does not kill fleas, it may repel them because fleas dislike its smell and taste. One of the most simple ways to use this natural flea repellent is to make a solution out of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.
Because of the high level of citric acid, lemons are one of the most effective and natural ways to kill fleas. By spraying or brushing lemons onto your cat's coat to help get rid of the fleas. Slice a lemon and let it steep in boiling water then drain the water when cooled into a spray bottle.
Baking soda does not kill adult fleas and will do nothing to protect your pets. It is excellent at absorbing smells and has been suggested by some online pet sites for use as a flea killer because it “may” dry out flea eggs and larvae. But there is no evidence that using baking soda to kill fleas is effective at all.
Dawn dish soap will help rinse flea eggs out of your pet's coat and down the drain, preventing them from hatching out. However, it does nothing to tackle flea eggs that have already rolled off of your pet into your household.
Vacuuming kills adult and non-adult fleas (eggs, larvae, pupae), which means you don't need to worry about what to do with the vacuum bag or canister. You can remove 32–90% of flea eggs (depending on the type of carpet you have) by simply vacuuming every other day while treating your flea infestation.
Make an equal mixture of salt and baking soda liberally on your carpet or affected area, and leave it overnight to dehydrate the larvae and eggs. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly and then clean your canister or bag carefully so you don't accidentally let the fleas out again.
Create a flea spray by mixing 4 liters of vinegar, 2 liters of water, 500 ml of lemon juice and 250 ml of witch hazel in a large spray bottle. Before applying the product around your home, you should vacuum properly, emptying the contents into an outside bin, and wash any bedding/cushions that could be infested.
Keeping Fleas and Ticks Away
To make your own flea and tick repellent, mix one part vinegar with one part water and spray it on your pet's fur. You can also add a few drops of vinegar to your pet's drinking water to help repel fleas and ticks from the inside out.
Grooming/brushing: Combing daily, especially with a flea comb, can remove live and dead fleas from your cat. Concentrate on areas where fleas like to hide, like the neck, armpits, groin, and the base of your cat's tail.
ACV is a great topical application to improve your pet's skin and coat. Fill up a spray bottle with 50% Apple Cider Vinegar and 50% water. Spray this solution as a part of your pet's grooming routine. Regular use will help you see improvement in the quality of your pet's skin and coat.
Eucalyptus is so powerful that it can kill fleas and repel them, making it a worthy tool in your arsenal during every step of the process of treating a flea problem. For the most effective pest control, a eucalyptus spray can be used around frequent flea hotspots such as pet bedding and the corners of carpets.
Particularly if you have a very young or senior cat, or multiple animals, this decision is best made with the assistance of your veterinarian. Dips may be one of the options to consider, although with the number of safe and effective options for flea treatment in cats, it is becoming less common.
By mixing baking soda and salt into a formula you are making a dehydrating agent. This will dry out the fleas, their eggs, and the larvae. This will kill them off so that they do not reproduce and spread. The main point of handling a flea infestation is to stop it from spreading.
You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, which is both effective in dealing with pests. Mixing essential oils like cedar or lavender can make the solution powerful. You can damp cloth with a vinegar solution on infested areas and on your pets to ensure that all fleas will be gone for good.
Flea eggs are small, oval white specks that resemble a grain of salt. You'll find flea eggs in any and all places that your cat or dog frequents—beds, bedding, crates, couches, chairs, carpeting, floor cracks or crevices, and corners. Flea eggs can survive for approximately 10 days before hatching.